The Life We Made

Chapter 22

When I woke up Tuesday morning, I stripped my bed and washed the sheets before placing fresh sheets on the bed. I straightened up and made sure everything was put away. I prepared everything for the arrival of our guests and that meant moving some of my stuff to Ty's room so I didn't bother whoever would be sleeping in my room.

Because it was late July and still stifling out, I chose jean shorts and a turquoise and white striped flowy tank top.

I got ready before I walked out into the living room to find Ty sitting on the couch, sprawled out, watching Sports Center. I shook my head and laughed silently.

"Good morning," I said as I approached him, making my presence known.

He turned his head to look at me, a warm smile on his face. "Morning. How'd you sleep?"

"Alright. Channing was active last night," I said, resting a hand on my protruding stomach. I was almost 30 weeks, and I was feeling bigger than ever. "Definitely going to be like her daddy in that sense."

"Atta girl," he said, coming to rub my belly, something that felt oddly intimate. I guessed it was because other than feeling a kick here or there, he hadn't really touched my bump.

But I was continually finding myself surprised by him. He'd been getting more physical and intimate with me, something I wasn't sure how to take. Was he just being his sweet, caring self, or did his actions mean something more?

I didn't have time to think about it, though, because his cell rang on the table behind him. He turned around and looked to see who it was before he answered.

He spoke for a couple minutes to the person on the other end before he hung up.

"My mom and Mia are leaving the hotel. We better go so that they don't have to wait too long."

"I'm ready," I told him. "Come on, Nala." Nala came running from my room and skidded into Tyler's feet. We both laughed and he picked her up and secured her in her crate.

As we walked out the door, Ty placed his hand on the small of my back and it stayed there until he opened my door for me and ushered me inside the car.

The drive to our breakfast spot was pretty quick, the traffic didn't cause too much of a problem for a Tuesday morning.

We had to park a couple blocks away and walked the distance to Bubby's. As we walked, our hands brushed and Ty wrapped his pinky around mine. He never fully grabbed my hand, but it was a start.

I found myself disappointed when he dropped the connection as we entered Bubby's. His mom and sister were already at a table near the window. When we sat down, we already had drinks in front of us.

"I hope you like warm tea," Mia said.

"Love it," I confirmed.

"We waited for you to order," Leanne said. "She should be back soon."

"How'd you sleep last night, Mom?" Ty asked.

"Not too bad."

"The pillows were too flat, though," Mia said. "I stacked 3 and it was like one of mine at home."

"Well you can have as many pillows as you need at my house," Ty told her.

"Did you guys sleep well last night?"

"I did. I was exhausted," Ty replied.

I proceeded to tell Leanne and Mia about Channing and how it was hard to sleep. Leanne gushed and said that it's such a wonderful feeling when the baby moves; that it was her favorite thing during her pregnancies. I had to agree; it was a great feeling....until I was trying to sleep. I was too tired for that.